Question 1

Which of the following best describes a major structural difference between the cytoplasmic membranes of Bacteria and Archaea?

Accepted Answer

Bacterial membranes contain ester linkages between glycerol and fatty acids, while archaeal membranes contain ether linkages between glycerol and isoprenoid chains.

Question 2

Which function is NOT typically associated with the cytoplasmic membrane of prokaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Structural rigidity to prevent osmotic lysis

Question 3

During facilitated diffusion across the cytoplasmic membrane, which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

Transport proteins assist solutes in moving down their concentration gradient without direct energy input.

Question 4

Which equation best represents the calculation of osmotic pressure ($\Pi$) across a microbial cell membrane?

Accepted Answer

$\Pi = iCRT$

Question 5

Gram-positive bacteria are characterized by which of the following cell wall features?

Accepted Answer

A thick layer of peptidoglycan containing teichoic acids and no outer membrane

Question 6

Which step in the Gram stain procedure is responsible for differentiating Gram-positive from Gram-negative bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Decolorization with alcohol or acetone

Question 7

Peptidoglycan is composed of repeating units of which two sugars, and how are they linked?

Accepted Answer

N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM) linked by $\beta$-1,4 glycosidic bonds

Question 8

Which component of Gram-negative cell walls is responsible for the toxic effects observed during septic shock?

Accepted Answer

Lipid A portion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)

Question 9

A patient presents with symptoms of chronic Lyme disease. Which feature of Borrelia burgdorferi’s cell wall contributes to its ability to evade the immune system and cause persistent infection?

Accepted Answer

Absence of lipopolysaccharide and unique outer membrane proteins

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why peptidoglycan is an effective target for antibiotics?

Accepted Answer

It is unique to bacteria, so drugs targeting its synthesis do not harm human cells.

Question 11

Which transport system in bacteria uses ATP hydrolysis to move substances against their concentration gradient?

Accepted Answer

ABC transporter system

Question 12

Which of the following statements about acid-fast bacteria is correct?

Accepted Answer

They have a cell wall rich in mycolic acids, making them resistant to decolorization by acid-alcohol.

Question 13

Which of the following is a consequence of placing a bacterial cell in a hypotonic solution?

Accepted Answer

Water moves into the cell, and the cell wall prevents lysis.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the role of teichoic acids in Gram-positive bacteria?

Accepted Answer

They contribute to the negative charge of the cell wall and serve as antigenic determinants.

Question 15

Which process involves the chemical modification of a transported molecule during its passage across the cytoplasmic membrane?

Accepted Answer

Group translocation

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct statement about the synthesis of peptidoglycan in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Peptidoglycan synthesis involves the formation of $\beta$-1,4 glycosidic bonds and peptide cross-links between NAM and NAG subunits.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a feature of Gram-negative cell walls?

Accepted Answer

A thick layer of peptidoglycan

Question 18

A patient is diagnosed with strep throat caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. Which virulence factor is most associated with severe complications such as rheumatic fever?

Accepted Answer

M protein, due to molecular mimicry with host tissues

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why multidrug resistance is a major obstacle in treating bacterial infections?

Accepted Answer

ABC transporter systems can export a wide variety of drugs out of the cell, reducing drug efficacy.

Microbial Cell Wall and Membrane: Structure, Function, and Diversity

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